historical periodization identifies several stages in the development of man and human society.More recently, scholars, historians have assumed that the stone age to the bronze age followed another.However, recently it was found that there was a time interval between them, which was classified as "copper age".What was the change in the views of historians on the gradual transition of mankind from the Stone Age to the Bronze?What distinguished this time period and what other features inherent in this period in the development of mankind?All this, read on.
Timeframe
Copper Age Copper-Stone Age, also known as the Eneolithic, originates in the VI century BC and lasted nearly 2000 years.The time frame of the period had a different meaning depending on the region: in the east and in America it started a little earlier than in Europe.It is worth noting that the first exposure to copper prehistoric man began around 3000 years before the beginning of the period in question.It happened on the territory of the ancient East.Initially mistaken for nuggets of soft stone, amenable to a hardwood that is cold forged.It was only after many centuries, people have learned to smelt copper and cast from her many useful items: needles, ornaments, spearheads and arrowheads.
further development of metal marked the beginning of such period as the Bronze Age, when a man came to be known methods and technology of alloys whose characteristics were better than pure copper.In short, this period is very important in the historical development of mankind and civilization as a whole.
Why "copper"?
Copper Age in the archaeological and historical periodization is characterized by the beginning of the use of primitive man tools of metal, namely copper.This resulted in the gradual replacement of stone and bone tools on a soft, but at the same time easy to use axes, knives, scrapers out of it.In addition, the development of processing methods that allow a person to make the metal even simple, but at the same time more original and refined decorations and figurines.The Bronze Age marked the beginning of a new round of the bundle in a primitive society on the basis of well-being: the more copper was the person, the higher status in society he had.
Human activities in the copper century
awareness of the value of copper as a means of exchange between the tribes and as a base material for the manufacture of many devices contributed to the active development of early craftwork.It Copper Age marked the beginning of the emergence of such crafts as mining, metal processing and metallurgy.At the same time it spreads the phenomenon of specialized agriculture and livestock.Pottery production during this period has also acquired new features.
to develop in this period and trade.This copper is mined and produced from her various articles tribes could conduct an exchange with someone who is far beyond their settlements.This is evidenced by the fact that in Europe found copper products produced in Asia Minor and the Middle East.
Archaeological finds from the Bronze Age
most characteristic and striking findings that relate to the Copper Age - it statuettes of women.This is due primarily to the worldview of the people who lived in the Copper Age.The greatest value to them represented the harvest and fertility, which is precisely symbolized similar products.Thus a large number of them is made of clay, instead of metal.
painting on pottery also portrayed women and the world.According to the beliefs of people who lived in the Copper Age, the world was divided into three components: the earth with plants, animals and people, average sky, emitting rays of the sun and the upper sky, filled with rain, filling the rivers and feeding ground.
addition to products endowed with sacred meaning of life, archaeologists have found knives, made of pure copper or bone tips, needles and more.
